Swim warnings lifted for New Hanover sites

Published: Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at 5:49 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at 5:49 p.m.

State recreational water quality officials on Wednesday lifted three water quality advisories and two alerts for swimming areas in New Hanover County after water sampling showed that bacteria levels had dropped to within acceptable state and federal limits.

The advisories were posted for Banks Channel off Waynick Boulevard in Wrightsville Beach on Tuesday. The first was for the public access between Snyder and Seashore streets; the second, for the public access between Taylor and Bellamy streets; and the third, for the public access approximately 150 yards north of Iula Street. Test results showed these sites had exceeded 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water for high-usage sites. As of Wednesday, water samples from all areas showed bacteria levels below state and federal recreational water quality standards.

Signs advising against swimming, skiing or otherwise coming into contact with the water at these locations have been removed.

The alerts were issued for Banks Channel in Wrightsville Beach at the public beach just south of the U.S. Coast Guard Station and at the public beach access at Avenue F in Kure Beach. Samples from those areas also showed bacteria levels within acceptable limits.

Banks Channel in Wrightsville Beach at the public beach access at the corner of Waynick Boulevard and Sunset Avenue remains under advisory, and a swimming alert issued Tuesday at the ocean pier at Avenue K in Kure Beach has been upgraded to a swimming advisory. Test results from both of these sites now indicate a running monthly average that exceeds the state and federal standard of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters, based on five samples taken within a 30-day period.

Enterococci is a fecal bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. The bacteria itself does not cause illness, but can indicate the presence of other disease-causing organisms. Swimming or playing in waters with elevated bacteria levels can lead to an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections, among other ailments.

State officials posted signs at the sites under advisory to notify the public of the risks of swimming in these areas. The advisories are not a beach closing and affect only water within 200 feet of posted signs.

State officials tested the sites again Wednesday, and will remove advisory signs and notify the public when bacteria decrease to acceptable levels.

<p>State recreational water quality officials on Wednesday lifted three water quality advisories and two alerts for swimming areas in New Hanover County after water sampling showed that bacteria levels had dropped to within acceptable state and federal limits.</p><p>The advisories were posted for Banks Channel off Waynick Boulevard in Wrightsville Beach on Tuesday. The first was for the public access between Snyder and Seashore streets; the second, for the public access between Taylor and Bellamy streets; and the third, for the public access approximately 150 yards north of Iula Street. Test results showed these sites had exceeded 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water for high-usage sites. As of Wednesday, water samples from all areas showed bacteria levels below state and federal recreational water quality standards.</p><p>Signs advising against swimming, skiing or otherwise coming into contact with the water at these locations have been removed. </p><p>The alerts were issued for Banks Channel in Wrightsville Beach at the public beach just south of the U.S. Coast Guard Station and at the public beach access at Avenue F in Kure Beach. Samples from those areas also showed bacteria levels within acceptable limits.</p><p>Banks Channel in Wrightsville Beach at the public beach access at the corner of Waynick Boulevard and Sunset Avenue remains under advisory, and a swimming alert issued Tuesday at the ocean pier at Avenue K in Kure Beach has been upgraded to a swimming advisory. Test results from both of these sites now indicate a running monthly average that exceeds the state and federal standard of 35 enterococci per 100 milliliters, based on five samples taken within a 30-day period. </p><p>Enterococci is a fecal bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. The bacteria itself does not cause illness, but can indicate the presence of other disease-causing organisms. Swimming or playing in waters with elevated bacteria levels can lead to an increased risk of gastrointestinal illness or skin infections, among other ailments.</p><p>State officials posted signs at the sites under advisory to notify the public of the risks of swimming in these areas. The advisories are not a beach closing and affect only water within 200 feet of posted signs.</p><p>State officials tested the sites again Wednesday, and will remove advisory signs and notify the public when bacteria decrease to acceptable levels.</p><p>Kate Elizabeth Queram: 343-2217</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @kate_goes_bleu</p>